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The short answer: Merrick wins by 4 points (B/82 vs B/78). Triple animal-protein density in the top three positions (deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal) plus a cleaner manufacturer-trust profile drives the gap. Evanger's edges on whole-vegetable depth (watercress, spinach, parsley) and probiotic strain count, but the 2017 pentobarbital recall on the canned line remains a real manufacturer-trust input for owners.

The scores

Evanger's Chicken with Brown Rice Dry: B (78/100) — Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat, Oatmeal.

Merrick Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe: B (82/100) — Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes.

How the ingredients compare

The top-five ingredients reveal the formulation split between these two brands:

Evanger's: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat, Oatmeal

Merrick: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes

The 4-point gap (Merrick wins by 4 points) shows where the v15 rubric weights ingredient breadth, protein density, and supplement depth differently.

Where Evanger's pulls ahead

Unmatched whole-vegetable depth: Watercress, spinach, parsley, beets, lettuce, celery, and carrots on the Evanger's panel. Merrick's vegetable inclusion is more standard (sweet potatoes, peas, carrots). For whole-food micronutrient delivery, Evanger's has the structural edge. Shop on Amazon →

Five named probiotic strains: Evanger's lists five named bacterial fermentation products. Merrick carries probiotic content but with fewer named strains. For dogs with chronic digestive sensitivity, the strain depth matters.

Dried egg at #6: Evanger's includes dried egg as the highest-biological-value protein source in any pet food formula. Merrick does not include egg in its top ingredients.

Where Merrick holds its own

Triple animal-protein density at the top: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal in positions 1–3 deliver more concentrated post-cook protein than Evanger's chicken-led structure. Merrick's protein density is structurally higher. Shop on Amazon →

Cleaner manufacturer-trust profile: Merrick has a strong manufacturer-quality track record. Evanger's 2017 pentobarbital recall on its canned product line is a real trust input owners often weight in a multi-year feeding decision.

Deeper omega-3 supplement profile: Merrick includes salmon oil and named omega-3 supplementation. Evanger's relies on whole-vegetable and chicken-fat omega sources without a dedicated marine omega-3 supplement — one of the within-tier gaps on Evanger's.

The bottom line

Merrick wins by 4 points (B/82 vs B/78). Triple animal-protein density, deeper omega-3 supplementation, and a cleaner manufacturer-trust track record. Evanger's holds on whole-vegetable depth and probiotic strain count — genuinely meaningful for whole-food micronutrient delivery and digestive support — but the protein-density gap and the manufacturer-trust input combine into a clear Merrick lead. For owners who weigh ingredient panel alone, Evanger's remains a defensible B-tier choice; for owners who weigh manufacturer trust alongside, Merrick is the cleaner pick.